John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 25: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason her Department did not inform Dáil Éireann or the Joint Committee on Health and Children regarding its intention to introduce a vaccine for avian flu, which was announced to the public on 24 February 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8599/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I do not understand the Deputy's reference to this House or the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children not being informed about the purchase of H5N1 vaccine.

On 31 January last in reply to parliamentary questions, I stated that arrangements to procure a stockpile of H5N1 vaccine for key health care workers and other essential workers were in train. Officials from my Department and the HSE informed the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children of our plans in this regard on 16 February. In addition, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food was briefed on 25 January. The announcement about the actual purchase was made last Friday at the earliest possible opportunity.